11 Jun What is SEO?
by Business Advisor Colin Taggart
Search engine optimization (SEO) is used to increase a website’s traffic plus help your business appear and rank higher in Google searches by potential customers.
There is a lot of mystery and claims of “dark arts” made by disreputable service providers: but in fact, according to Google, it is a straightforward, transparent process whereby, if you follow these simple rules, you will be rewarded organically.
Why is SEO important?
We all know that most people use Google on a daily basis to find goods or services, plus most people click on one of the first few search results. So being top of the page or in the Three Pack Maps Listing can be a huge benefit – especially for an impulse purchase, such as a plumber or pest control.
Google My Business listing (GMB)
Creating a GMB listing is the first necessary step in your SEO journey. Make sure that you have created your free GMB using this link. This will ensure that you are registered and indexed by Google. Also make sure that it is kept up to date with photos and information about your products and services.
Keywords – Search Intent
The simplest way to determine what your keywords are is to undergo a thought exercise and ask yourself what would your ideal customer type into Google when looking for your business? Use these words and phrases throughout your text. It is important that this is done in a natural way – rather like having a normal conversation with a client. These keywords can also be used to tag your images.
SEO can take time and commitment to achieve consistent good results and maintain your ranking – rather like tending a garden – it is not set and forget.
One potential alternative to SEO which may get your business to the top of page one is using Google AdWords: but that comes with a cost and may also require a specialist to assist with your campaign.
Contact Colin for advice on SEO or assessing your digital advertising options.